into well-closed skins for the soldiers, and the best sorts we put into strong flasks, carefully sealed with pitch, that they may perform the journey uninjured, and warm and rejoice the hearts of our heroes.  All that, and much more, I manage and arrange, and my days pass in hard work.  The Gods send me no bright visions in the night, for after utter fatigue—­I sleep soundly.  But I know that I am of use.  I can hold my head proudly, because in some degree I resemble my great father; and if the king thinks of me at all I know he can rejoice in the doings of his child.  That is the end of it, Nefert—­and I only say, Come and join me, work with me, prove yourself of use, and compel Mena to think of his wife, not with affection only, but with pride.”  Nefert let her head sink slowly on Bent-Anat’s bosom, threw her arms round her neck, and wept like a child.  At last she composed herself and said humbly: 

“Take me to school, and teach me to be useful.”  “I knew,” said the princess smiling, “that you only needed a guiding hand.  Believe me, you will soon learn to couple content and longing.  But now hear this!  At present go home to your mother, for it is late; and meet her lovingly, for that is the will of the Gods.  To-morrow morning I will go to see you, and beg Katuti to let you come to me as companion in the place of my lost friend.  The day after to-morrow you will come to me in the palace.  You can live in the rooms of my departed friend and begin, as she had done, to help me in my work.  May these hours be blest to you!”

CHAPTER XXII.

At the time of this conversation the leech Nebsecht still lingered in front of the hovel of the paraschites, and waited with growing impatience for the old man’s return.

At first he trembled for him; then he entirely forgot the danger into which he had thrown him, and only hoped for the fulfilment of his desires, and for wonderful revelations through his investigations of the human heart.

For some minutes he gave himself up to scientific considerations; but he became more and more agitated by anxiety for the paraschites, and by the exciting vicinity of Uarda.

For hours he had been alone with her, for her father and grandmother could no longer stop away from their occupations.  The former must go to escort prisoners of war to Hermonthis, and the old woman, since her granddaughter had been old enough to undertake the small duties of the household, had been one of the wailing-women, who, with hair all dishevelled, accompanied the corpse on its way to the grave, weeping, and lamenting, and casting Nile-mud on their forehead and breast.  Uarda still lay, when the sun was sinking, in front of the hut.

She looked weary and pale.  Her long hair had come undone, and once more got entangled with the straw of her humble couch.  If Nebsecht went near her to feel her pulse or to speak to her she carefully turned her face from him.